Unto Phile´mon our dearly beloved, and fellow laborer, 2#Col 4.17. and to our beloved Ap´phi-a, and Archip´pus our fellow soldier, and to the church in thy house:

3Grace to you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Philemon's Love and Faith

4I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers, 5hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints; 6that the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus. 7For we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother.

Paul Pleads for Onesimus

8Wherefore, though I might be much bold in Christ to enjoin thee that which is convenient, 9yet for love's sake I rather beseech thee, being such a one as Paul the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ. 10#Col 4.9. I beseech thee for my son Ones´imus, whom I have begotten in my bonds: 11which in time past was to thee unprofitable, but now profitable to thee and to me: 12whom I have sent again: thou therefore receive him, that is, mine own bowels: 13whom I would have retained with me, that in thy stead he might have ministered unto me in the bonds of the gospel: 14but without thy mind would I do nothing; that thy benefit should not be as it were of necessity, but willingly.

15For perhaps he therefore departed for a season, that thou shouldest receive him for ever; 16not now as a servant, but above a servant, a brother beloved, specially to me, but how much more unto thee, both in the flesh, and in the Lord? 17If thou count me therefore a partner, receive him as myself. 18If he hath wronged thee, or oweth thee aught, put that on mine account; 19I Paul have written it with mine own hand, I will repay it: albeit I do not say to thee how thou owest unto me even thine own self besides. 20Yea, brother, let me have joy of thee in the Lord: refresh my bowels in the Lord.

21Having confidence in thy obedience I wrote unto thee, knowing that thou wilt also do more than I say. 22But withal prepare me also a lodging: for I trust that through your prayers I shall be given unto you.